2008 Bear in the Big Blue House

Jim Henson Television on the Disney Channel has a new star, and he's bigger than life. Bear in the Big Blue House is a television series that was created for pre-schoolers by Mitchell Kriegman, who also created Nickelodeon's Clarissa Explains It All. Bear, who is the main character of the show, speaks directly to his viewers, encouraging learning through imagination, music, art and play.

Bear is a seven-foot tall orange bear that lives in a big blue house with his friends. He shares the house and the spotlight with Ojo, an adorably loveable little girl bear; Tutter, who happens to be the imaginative mouse of the house; and Treelo, a bright green, overly excitable lemur. Viewers are also greeted by Pip and Pop, two purple otters who are constantly in search of something fun to do and the ever wise, insightful, and thoughtful moon named Luna.

Each episode airs with a certain theme in mind and each theme is geared toward teaching the young viewers through a fun learning environment, disguised by wholesome entertainment. The shows writers have tackled subjects like how to tell time, learning about nature, and how to be a good sport. Bear in the Big Blue House has completed four seasons and airs daily on the Disney Channel.

The show has been critically acclaimed throughout the U.S. and the U.K. It has been nominated for eight different Emmy awards and has won two Emmys, including an Emmy for Outstanding Direction in a Children's Series. 'Love to Dance Bear', a toy spawned from the series, has been voted 'Toy Of The Year' in the stuffed animal category by FamilyFun Magazine, and Bear's 'Imagine That!' has won a Parent's Choice Gold Award.

The Bear in the Big Blue House Stage Show is currently running live throughout the U.K. You can also get tickets to see Bear and his friends at the Disney MGM Theme Park in Orlando, Florida. The 2004 'Surprise Party Tour' is underway and Bear in the Big Blue House is going to Cha-Cha-Cha in cities throughout the U.S.--and he's bringing all of his friends with him.